9 Months Off Skates: The Derby Pregnancy Blog

This was the selfie i took for my derby BFF about how i felt before practice. I think it is a good summary. (Photo by Susan B. Slamthony).

First Practice

My first practice back! How thrilling! 

I dropped in with the local rec league during one of their intro sessions. It was a nice, no-contact way to ease back in and it helped to see old friends from my league there. 

And the skating?

I had never really understood the phrase "like riding a bicycle." I mean, I had taken a few weeks here and there off skates on my derby career. And I think we can all agree that when you come back after two weeks off, you *feel* it. Your feet hurt more, your legs feel sluggish, and your core won't engage. And that's just after two weeks. I was sure I was going to be a wreck after a year off.

I put on my gear with trepidation. The pads felt awkward instead of familiar. The laces seemed too short and my derby clothes too tight. 

And then I stood up and stepped on to the rink. I didn't feel like I had been gone at all. Being on eight wheels again felt...normal. Right, even. 

I warmed up, stretched and began running through the drills with the group. I had to remind myself not to overdo it. No hockey stops. No power slides. No hitting. I didn't want to be the horror story of the mom who went back and broke her leg at the first practice. But I had to constantly tell myself not to do weird stuff. I felt so wonderful, like I could just pick up where I had left off!

In my next blogs, I'll tell you why that doesn't work. 

#96 Susan B. Slamthony